She had drawn illustrations of some of the more decorative things in the margins too, and her artistic skill was impressive. The dents on a chalice, the scrollwork on a knife handle—all of it detailed and precise. Exacting. He looked at the tower of boxes and groaned inwardly.
There were perks to the job, however, perks that made up for the tedium. He brightened as he heard Maris’s tread on the steps at last. She was late according to his timepiece.
“I’ve been working like a slave,” he began, and then saw her white face. “What is it? Did something happen?” Was the old earl—
“D-David is here.”
She was clearly frightened, and he sought to soothe her. “You said he was apt to turn up. I’m surprised your husband allows it.”
“Henry doesn’t know he’s here yet. David knows better than to bother him. He’s come to see me. Someone told David you were at Kelby Hall. He must have a spy on the estate in his employ to carry gossip,” she said with bitterness.
“Hold on a minute. Is he banned from coming here?” Reyn would take the utmost pleasure in throwing the man out.
Maris shook her head. “He receives a quarterly allowance according to the terms of his father’s will. He used to come in person to collect it, and much more often, just to be a nuisance. Since Jane died, he’s been too smart to try to see Henry, but he’s written to him. The threats . . . ” Maris took a gulp of air. “I don’t want my husband disturbed by his visit. If he knew David was here, I can’t imagine what he’d do.”
Reyn supposed it was perfectly possible that in a house this size, one might have a houseguest for months without ever laying eyes on him. Nevertheless, it seemed odd that the earl wasn’t informed of his nephew’s presence. The old fellow would no doubt instruct a few of the Johns to throw him out on his arse.
“Did he come for his money?”
“I gave it to him last month.”
“Well, then. Send him on his way.”
“I-I can’t. He says he’s staying until he’s assured you won’t make off with any Kelby treasures.”
Reyn was dumbfounded. “Me? Run off with such rubbish? I should be offended he thinks I’m so stupid. And I thought he didn’t care about the Kelby Collection anyway.”
“He doesn’t really, but he doesn’t know what might be in the attics. No one does. May I remind you, there was the emerald.”
“Which I hope you are not going to turn over to him. What have you done with it?”
“It’s in the strongbox in my bedroom.”
“Good. Keep it there. I don’t mind meeting with the man, Maris. Let him snoop his fill and then go away.”
“You c-can’t call me Maris. David is very sharp. If he discovers you are not who you claim to be—” She shivered.
Reyn was across the floor in a second, and Maris was in his arms the next. “I will do nothing to arouse his suspicions. I’ll even wear the damned spectacles if you want me to.” They were jammed in his pocket just in case.
“Oh, Reyn! I thought we’d have more time to prepare for him. What if he asks you questions?”
“I’ve only been up here a day, haven’t I? It’s not like we’ve had time to find much. And so I’ll tell him.” He smelled roses and starch as he tucked her into the crook of his arm. “When do you want me to see him?”
“Right now, if you can. He’s waiting in my sitting room. David has reserved a bed in Kelby Village for the night, but maybe he’ll go away tomorrow if he’s satisfied.”
It irked Reyn that there was another man in Maris’s private space, but at least he’d get to see how she lived. It was unlikely he’d ever receive an invitation to enter her boudoir again.
Reyn dressed in haste, taking care to muss his hair and put the useless spectacles on his face before he followed Maris downstairs. He was going for the distracted scholar look. He’d seen plenty of masters so wrapped up in their studies they sometimes didn’t even notice the dark-haired boy in the back of the room sticking his tongue out at them and lobbing spitballs.
His hands were dirty, so he shoved them in his pocket along with Maris’s slippers, praying that David Kelby had never heard of Captain Reynold Durant, late of His Majesty’s Army. His best bet was to say as little